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{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Expand French|François Fillon|date=April 2023}}
{{Short description|French politician, former prime minister}}
{{Redirect|Fillon}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image               = François Fillon 2010.jpg
| caption             = Fillon in January 2010
| signature           = François Fillon Signature.svg
| office1             = [[Prime Minister of France]]<!-- Please do not add his order, it is against WP:MOS, unused and clutter -->
| term_start1         = 17 May 2007
| term_end1           = 15 May 2012
| predecessor1        = [[Dominique de Villepin]]
| president1          = [[Nicolas Sarkozy]]
| successor1          = [[Jean-Marc Ayrault]]
| office2             = [[Ministry of Ecology|Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing]]
| primeminister2      = Himself
| term_start2         = 23 February 2012
| term_end2           = 16 May 2012
| predecessor2        = [[Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet]]
| successor2          = [[Nicole Bricq]]<br />(Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy)
| office3             = [[Ministry of National Education (France)|Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research]]
| primeminister3      = [[Jean-Pierre Raffarin]]
| term_start3         = 31 March 2004
| term_end3           = 31 May 2005
| predecessor3        = [[Luc Ferry]]<br />(National Education and Research)<br />[[François Loos]]<br />(Higher Education)
| successor3          = [[Gilles de Robien]]
| office4             = [[Minister of Social Affairs (France)|Minister of Social Affairs, Labour and Solidarity]]
| primeminister4      = Jean-Pierre Raffarin
| term_start4         = 7 May 2002
| term_end4           = 30 March 2004
| predecessor4        = [[Élisabeth Guigou]]
| successor4          = [[Jean-Louis Borloo]]
| office5             = [[President of the Regional Council (France)|President of the Regional Council]] of [[Pays de la Loire]]
| term_start5         = 20 March 1998
| term_end5           = 16 May 2002
| predecessor5        = [[Olivier Guichard]]
| successor5          = Jean-Luc Harousseau
| office6             = [[Minister of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones|Minister delegate for Posts, Telecommunications and Space]]
| primeminister6      = [[Alain Juppé]]
| term_start6         = 7 November 1995
| term_end6           = 2 June 1997
| predecessor6        = Himself<br />(Information Technologies and Posts)
| successor6          = Christian Pierret
| office7             = Minister of [[Minister of Information (France)|Information Technologies]] and [[Minister of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones|Posts]]
| primeminister7      = Alain Juppé
| term_start7         = 18 May 1995
| term_end7           = 7 November 1995
| predecessor7        = José Rossi<br />(Industry, Posts and Telecommunications and External Trade)
| successor7          = [[Franck Borotra]]<br />(Industry, Posts and Telecommunications)<br />Himself<br />(Information Technologies and Posts)
| office8             = [[Ministry of Higher Education and Research|Minister of Higher Education and Research]]
| primeminister8      = [[Édouard Balladur]]
| term_start8         = 30 March 1993
| term_end8           = 11 May 1995
| predecessor8        = [[Hubert Curien]]<br />(Research)
| successor8          = [[François Bayrou]]
| office9             = [[President of the Departmental Council|President of the General Council]] of [[Sarthe]]
| term_start9         = 20 April 1992
| term_end9           = 20 March 1998
| predecessor9        = [[Michel d'Aillières]]
| successor9          = [[Roland du Luart]]
| birth_name          = François Charles Armand Fillon
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1954|03|04}}
| birth_place         = [[Le Mans]], France
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]] (Since 2015)
| otherparty          = {{ubl| [[Rally for the Republic]] (Until 2002)|[[Union for a Popular Movement]] (2002–2015)}}
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Penelope Fillon|Penelope Clarke]]|28 June 1980}}
| children            = 5
| alma_mater          = {{unbulleted list|[[University of Maine (France)|University of Maine]]|[[Paris Descartes University]]}}
}}
'''François Charles Armand Fillon''' ({{IPA-fr|fʁɑ̃swa ʃaʁl aʁmɑ̃ fijɔ̃}}; born 4 March 1954) is a French retired politician who served as [[Prime Minister of France]] from 2007 to 2012 under President [[Nicolas Sarkozy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elysee.fr/elysee/elysee.fr/francais_attente/salle_de_presse/communique_concernant_la_nommination_du_premier_ministre.76689.html |title=Communiqué de la Présidence de la République concernant la nomination du Premier ministre |publisher=[[Élysée Palace]] |date=17 May 2007 |access-date=17 May 2007 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519071357/http://www.elysee.fr/elysee/elysee.fr/francais_attente/salle_de_presse/communique_concernant_la_nommination_du_premier_ministre.76689.html |archive-date=19 May 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name="decret premier ministre">{{cite web |url=http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000649193 |title=Décret du 17 mai 2007 portant nomination du Premier ministre |language=fr |publisher=Legifrance.gouv.fr |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605000438/http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000649193 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the nominee of [[The Republicans (France)|the Republicans]] (previously known as the [[Union for a Popular Movement]]), the country's largest centre-right political party, for the [[2017 French presidential election|2017 presidential election]] where he ranked third in the first round of voting. 

Fillon became [[Jean-Pierre Raffarin]]'s [[Minister of Social Affairs (France)|Minister of Labour]] in 2002 and undertook controversial reforms of the [[35-hour workweek|35-hour working week]] law and of the French retirement system. In 2004, as [[Minister of National Education (France)|Minister of National Education]] he proposed the much debated [[Fillon law, 2005|Fillon law on Education]].

In 2005, Fillon was elected [[Senate (France)|senator]] for the [[Sarthe]] department. His role as a political advisor in [[Nicolas Sarkozy]]'s successful race for president led to his becoming prime minister in 2007. Fillon resigned upon Sarkozy's defeat by [[François Hollande]] in the [[2012 French presidential election|2012 presidential elections]].

Running on a platform described as conservative, he won the [[The Republicans (France) presidential primary, 2016|2016 Republican presidential primary]], defeating [[Alain Juppé]]. Following his victory in the primary, opinion polls showed Fillon as the frontrunner for the [[2017 French presidential election|2017 presidential election]]. But in March 2017, he was formally charged in an embezzlement investigation in a case that became known as "[[Fillon affair|Penelopegate]]" due to the involvement of [[Penelope Fillon|his wife]]. In April, he finally came third in the first round with 20%, and was therefore excluded from the run-off between the top two finishers.

In 2020, he was convicted of fraud and misuse of funds, and sentenced to five years in prison (three of them suspended). He has appealed against the sentence. In May 2022, the sentence was shortened to four years in prison (three of them suspended).

In December 2021, Fillon was named as a member of the Board of Directors of [[Sibur|SIBUR]] Holding, the largest integrated petrochemical company in Russia. He resigned from this position in February 2022, following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine]].

{{TOC limit|3}}

==Early life==
Fillon was born on 4 March 1954 in [[Le Mans]], Sarthe, France. His father, Michel, is a [[civil law notary]], while his mother, Anne Soulet Fillon, is a history professor of [[Basques|Basque]] descent.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ouest-france.fr/deces-danne-fillon-mere-de-lex-premier-ministre-344598|title=Décès d'Anne Fillon, mère de l'ex-Premier ministre|work=Ouest France|location=France|date=17 August 2012|access-date=18 November 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145333/http://www.ouest-france.fr/deces-danne-fillon-mere-de-lex-premier-ministre-344598|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gala.fr/stars_et_gotha/francois_fillon|title=François Fillon – La biographie de François Fillon avec Gala.fr|first=Prisma|last=Média|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-date=23 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423063807/http://www.gala.fr/stars_et_gotha/francois_fillon|url-status=live}}</ref> His youngest brother, Dominique, is a pianist and jazz musician.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Olivier Nuc|author2=Jean Talabot|title=Dominique Fillon, jazzman et petit frère de...|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/musique/2017/03/15/03006-20170315ARTFIG00243-dominique-fillon-jazzman-et-petit-frere-de.php|newspaper=Le Figaro|date=15 March 2017|access-date=17 March 2017|archive-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317004349/http://www.lefigaro.fr/musique/2017/03/15/03006-20170315ARTFIG00243-dominique-fillon-jazzman-et-petit-frere-de.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="telegraph 2007-05-06">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/06/wfra206.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017151616/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2007%2F05%2F06%2Fwfra206.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 October 2007|title=Welshwoman prepares for life in French No 10|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|date=7 May 2007|access-date=12 May 2007|first1=Kim|last1=Willsher|first2=Tim|last2=Finan}}</ref>

Fillon received a [[baccalauréat]] in 1972. He then studied at the [[University of Maine (France)|University of Maine]] in Le Mans where he received a master's degree in public law in 1976. He subsequently received a [[master of Advanced Studies]] (''diplôme d'études approfondies'') in public law from [[Paris Descartes University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pratique.leparisien.fr/biographies/biographies-personnalites-politiques/hommes-politiques/francois-fillon-1400002104#xtref=https://www.google.com/|title=François Fillon - Biographie - Le Parisien|access-date=21 November 2016|archive-date=21 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121173149/http://pratique.leparisien.fr/biographies/biographies-personnalites-politiques/hommes-politiques/francois-fillon-1400002104#xtref=https://www.google.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Political career==
{{prose|section|date=June 2020}}

===Governmental functions===
*Minister of Higher Education and Research: 1993–1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gala.fr/stars_et_gotha/francois_fillon|title=François Fillon - La biographie de François Fillon avec Gala.fr|last=Média|first=Prisma|website=Gala.fr|language=fr|access-date=2017-11-14|archive-date=23 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423063807/http://www.gala.fr/stars_et_gotha/francois_fillon|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Minister of Information Technologies and Posts: May – November 1995.
*Minister responsible for Posts, Telecommunications and Space: 1995–1997.
*Minister of Social Affairs, Labour and Solidarity: 2002–2004.
*Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research: 2004–2005.
*Prime minister: 2007–2012.
*February to May 2012: he assumed the functions of the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing, after the resignation of [[Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet]] who became spokeswoman of Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential campaign.

===Electoral mandates===
====National Assembly of France====
*President of the Rally-UMP Group in the National Assembly: November 2012 – January 2013.
*Member of the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]] for Paris ([[Paris's 2nd constituency|2nd constituency]]): 2012–2017.
*Member of the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]] for [[Sarthe]] ([[Sarthe's 4th constituency|4th constituency]]): 1981–1993 (became Minister in 1993); 1997–2002 (became Minister in 2002); re-elected in 2007 but he became Prime Minister. Elected in 1981, re-elected in 1986, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2002, and 2007.

====Senate of France====
*Senator for [[Sarthe]]: 2005–2007 (became Prime Minister in 2007, and he appears again as a member of the National Assembly of France in June 2007). Elected in 2004, remained as Minister. Reelected in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/personnalite/francois-fillon/biographie/|title=François Fillon - biographie du candidat à l'élection présidentielle 2017|website={{Lang|fr|Le Monde}}.fr|language=fr-FR|access-date=2017-11-14|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115082857/http://www.lemonde.fr/personnalite/francois-fillon/biographie/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Regional Council====
*President of the Regional Council of [[Pays de la Loire]]: 1998–2002 (resignation).
*Vice-president of the Regional Council of [[Pays de la Loire]]: 2002–2004.
*Regional councillor of [[Pays de la Loire]]: 1998–2007 (Resignation). Reelected in 2004. Elected in [[Sarthe]] constituency.

====General Council====
*President of the General Council of [[Sarthe]]: 1992–1998. Reelected in 1994.
*Vice President of the General Council of [[Sarthe]]: 1985–1992.
*General councillor of the [[Sarthe]], elected in the [[canton of France|canton]] of Sablé-sur-Sarthe: 1981–1998. Reelected in 1985, 1992.

====Municipal Council====
*Mayor of [[Sablé-sur-Sarthe]] : 1983–2001. Reelected in 1989, 1995.
*Municipal councillor of [[Sablé-sur-Sarthe]]: 1983–2001. Reelected in 1989, 1995.
*Municipal councillor of [[Solesmes, Sarthe|Solesmes]]: 2001–2014. Reelected in 2008.

====Community of communes Council====
*President of the [[Communauté de communes]] of Sablé-sur-Sarthe: 2001–2012 (resignation). Reelected in 2008.
*Member of the [[Communauté de communes]] of Sablé-sur-Sarthe: 2001–2014. Reelected in 2008.

===Prime Minister===
{{See also|Cabinet of François Fillon}}
[[File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Congress Warsaw (226).jpg|thumb|left|François Fillon speaking in [[Warsaw]]]]
[[File:François Fillon à l'Assemblée nationale, 2007.jpg|thumb|left|François Fillon speaking in front of the National Assembly]]
The day after [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] became President he appointed Fillon as Prime Minister of France, charging him with the task of forming a new cabinet, which was announced on 18 May 2007.<ref>[http://www.elysee.fr/elysee/elysee.fr/francais/interventions/2007/mai/composition_du_gouvernement.77059.html Communiqué de la Présidence de la République concernant la composition du gouvernement de M. François FILLON, Premier ministre.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520065627/http://www.elysee.fr/elysee/elysee.fr/francais/interventions/2007/mai/composition_du_gouvernement.77059.html |date=20 May 2007 }} [[Élysée Palace]], 18 May 2007</ref> By appointing as Secretary of State [[André Santini]], who had been indicted in the [[Fondation Hamon affair|''Fondation Hamon'' affair]] on charges of corruption, Fillon made the first break since 1992 with the so-called "[[Balladur jurisprudence]]", according to which an indicted governmental personality should resign until the case is closed.<ref name=BJ>[http://www.lemonde.fr/cgi-bin/ACHATS/994735.html?offre=ARCHIVES&type_item=ART_ARCH_30J&objet_id=994735 La mise en examen de M. Santini n'a pas empêché sa nomination au gouvernement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017144623/http://www.lemonde.fr/cgi-bin/ACHATS/994735.html?offre=ARCHIVES&type_item=ART_ARCH_30J&objet_id=994735 |date=17 October 2007 }}, {{Lang|fr|[[Le Monde]]}}, 22 June 2007 {{in lang|fr}}</ref> On 13 November 2010, Fillon resigned, paving the way for a cabinet reshuffle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hpOGaxTeaNGH_zzhmwFmv6PxFwdw?docId=CNG.0564d0a57f651a32ac4df0651e203ac0.01|title=AFP: Sarkozy clears decks for French government reshuffle}}</ref> One day later Sarkozy reappointed Fillon as Prime Minister, allowing Fillon to formally name a new cabinet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/15/world/europe/15france.html?src=twrhp|title=French Prime Minister Reappointed|work=The New York Times|date=14 November 2010|access-date=14 November 2010|archive-date=7 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107223843/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/15/world/europe/15france.html?src=twrhp|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the defeat of Nicolas Sarkozy to François Hollande in the [[2012 French presidential election|2012 presidential election]], Fillon resigned on 10 May. Following the inauguration of Hollande as president on 15 May 2012,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/70068/1/blogs.lse.ac.uk-Fillon%20vs%20Jupp%C3%A9%20What%20policy%20differences%20are%20there%20between%20the%20French%20centre-rights%20candidates.pdf|title=Fillon vs Juppé: What policy differences are there between the French centre-right's candidates?|website=eprints.lse.ac.uk|access-date=14 November 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015523/http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/70068/1/blogs.lse.ac.uk-Fillon%20vs%20Jupp%C3%A9%20What%20policy%20differences%20are%20there%20between%20the%20French%20centre-rights%20candidates.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jean-Marc Ayrault]], Mayor of [[Nantes]], was appointed to succeed Fillon as Prime Minister.

===UMP presidential election===
Aiming at building consensus within the diverging views at the UMP after Francois Hollande's victory in the French presidential elections in 2012, Fillon declared his candidacy to become the President of the UMP party. On the day of the vote, both candidates (Fillon and [[Jean-François Copé]]) claimed victory and accused the other of cheating. This led to a major political crisis within the party with votes being recounted twice and Copé finally being declared winner.

Fillon threatened to split from UMP unless new elections were organised. He formed a new parliamentary faction, the [[Rassemblement-UMP group]].

In December 2012, Copé agreed to organising elections in 2013, thus putting an end to the crisis.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2012/12/18/l-accord-a-l-ump-decrypte_1807849_823448.html|title=UMP : l'accord entre Fillon et Copé décrypté|first=Samuel Laurent et Jonathan|last=Parienté|date=18 December 2012|work=Le Monde|access-date=20 April 2017|archive-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401071149/http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2012/12/18/l-accord-a-l-ump-decrypte_1807849_823448.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Presidential bid===
Fillon entered the [[The Republicans (France) presidential primary, 2016|2016 Republican presidential primary]], held on 20 November 2016, and seemed a likely third as late as a week before the vote.<ref name=guardian21112016>Willsher, Kim, and Matthew Weaver, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/21/who-is-francois-fillon-the-man-who-ended-sarkozys-dream "Who is François Fillon – the man who ended Sarkozy's dream?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121140713/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/21/who-is-francois-fillon-the-man-who-ended-sarkozys-dream |date=21 November 2016 }}, ''[[The Guardian]]'', 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.</ref> In early counting, Fillon emerged as the clear frontrunner, with [[Alain Juppé]] in second place. Third place Sarkozy conceded, bringing his support to Fillon, and Fillon and Juppé went into the run-off on 27 November 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/2bbff644-af60-11e6-9c37-5787335499a0 |title=Fillon shakes up France's unpredictable presidential race |newspaper=Financial Times |date=20 November 2016 |access-date=20 November 2016 |archive-date=21 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121165735/https://www.ft.com/content/2bbff644-af60-11e6-9c37-5787335499a0 |url-status=live |last1=Barber |first1=Tony }}</ref> Juppé conceded to Fillon, pledging his support for him as the Republican nominee in the [[2017 French presidential election|2017 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news|title=France's Juppe concedes defeat, backs Fillon in presidential election|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-idUSKBN13M001?il=0|work=Reuters|date=27 November 2016|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814180035/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-idUSKBN13M001?il=0|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of November 2016, Fillon was seen as the frontrunner for the Presidency against the Socialist candidate [[Benoît Hamon]], [[Emmanuel Macron]] and [[Marine Le Pen]]. However, revelations of [[Fillon affair|series of political scandals]] at the end of January shattered his presidential bid, with polls rapidly showing him behind both Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron and out of the runoff. Fillon's visits on the ground attracted protesters who further destabilised his campaign. The news provocated consternation in Germany where Fillon was seen as a serious and trusted candidate.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Tony |date=27 November 2016 |title=François Fillon: now the favourite to be France's next president |newspaper=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/879eeb24-b4dc-11e6-ba85-95d1533d9a62 |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130111748/https://www.ft.com/content/879eeb24-b4dc-11e6-ba85-95d1533d9a62 |archive-date=30 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lepoint.fr/presidentielle/l-affaire-fillon-vue-d-allemagne-07-02-2017-2102924_3121.php|title=L'affaire Fillon vue d'Allemagne|first=Pascale|last=Hugues|date=7 February 2017|website=Le Point|access-date=23 February 2020|archive-date=23 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223134539/https://www.lepoint.fr/presidentielle/l-affaire-fillon-vue-d-allemagne-07-02-2017-2102924_3121.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 April 2017, he secured 20.0% of the votes at the first round of the French presidential election, arriving third, and therefore failing to enter the runoff.

==Political positions==

===Economy, budget and taxation===
[[File:François Fillon - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 2008.jpg|thumb|Fillon attending the 2008 [[Davos]] [[World Economic Forum]]]]
Fillon has been described as economically liberal and fiscally conservative. For many observers,{{who|date=November 2016}} he is more liberal than his mentor [[Philippe Séguin]].<ref>[http://www.atlantico.fr/decryptage/ump-differences-ideologiques-entre-cope-fillon-et-juppe-josee-pauchat-michael-darmon-carole-barjon-407650.html UMP : Au-delà des postures, quelles différences idéologiques entre Copé, Fillon et Juppé] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204215459/http://www.atlantico.fr/decryptage/ump-differences-ideologiques-entre-cope-fillon-et-juppe-josee-pauchat-michael-darmon-carole-barjon-407650.html |date=4 February 2017 }} sur atlantico.fr du {{nobr|3 juillet 2012}}.</ref><ref name="rue89.com">[http://www.rue89.com/rue89-politique/2012/11/16/dans-la-tete-de-francois-fillon-236999 Infographie : dans la tête de François Fillon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918184319/http://www.rue89.com/rue89-politique/2012/11/16/dans-la-tete-de-francois-fillon-236999 |date=18 September 2013 }} sur rue89.com du {{nobr|16 novembre 2012}}.</ref> A few months after taking office as prime minister, he declared that he was "at the head of a state that is bankrupt financially, [...] which for 15 years has been in chronic deficit, [...] that has not voted a balanced budget for 25 years." He then committed publicly to "bring the state budget to balance by the end of the five-year",<ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5juYWCdyl6Q_CoFhBeBsGXuKIAshA Fillon affirme être à la tête d'un État en "faillite"] sur google.com, article AFP, du {{nobr|22 septembre 2007}}.</ref> and reiterated this promise in 2012<ref name="ladepeche.fr">[http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2012/05/04/1345058-fillon-defend-le-bilan-du-quinquennat.html Castres. Fillon défend le bilan du quinquennat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721222130/http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2012/05/04/1345058-fillon-defend-le-bilan-du-quinquennat.html |date=21 July 2017 }} sur ladepeche.fr du {{nobr|4 mai 2012}}.</ref> and proposed a referendum on registration of the fiscal golden rule in the Constitution.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2012/02/14/regle-or-referendum-fillon_n_1275736.html Règle d'Or: Fillon pour un référendum après l'élection présidentielle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206115815/http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2012/02/14/regle-or-referendum-fillon_n_1275736.html |date=6 February 2017 }} sur Huffingtonpost.fr du {{nobr|14 février 2012}}.</ref> In defending a policy of controlling the deficit, Fillon is in favour of abolishing the wealth tax, which he considers one of the causes of the debt of France. According to him, this tax discourages foreign entrepreneurs.<ref>[http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Francois-Fillon-L-assommoir-fiscal-tue-l-economie-525526 François Fillon: "L'assommoir fiscal tue l'économie"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127211932/http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Francois-Fillon-L-assommoir-fiscal-tue-l-economie-525526 |date=27 January 2017 }} sur Parismatch.com du {{nobr|27 août 2013}}.</ref> This tax would be offset by the creation of a top slice of income tax to 50%, which would be included in the CSG.

As a presidential candidate, Fillon aims to reduce the public sector and cut 500,000 civil-service jobs.<ref>{{cite news|title=France's Republicans choose François Fillon to battle Marine Le Pen for the presidency|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21710928-former-prime-minister-takes-67-vote-complete-stunning-upset-frances-republicans|access-date=28 November 2016|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=27 November 2016|archive-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128060729/http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21710928-former-prime-minister-takes-67-vote-complete-stunning-upset-frances-republicans|url-status=live}}</ref> Fillon has been compared to [[Margaret Thatcher]] due to his ambition to reduce the size of the state.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-20/french-thatcherite-upends-2017-race-pledging-to-shrink-the-state|title=French Thatcherite Upends 2017 Race Pledging to Shrink the State|work=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]|access-date=7 March 2017|archive-date=25 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225122832/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-20/french-thatcherite-upends-2017-race-pledging-to-shrink-the-state|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/27/francois-fillon-set-face-marine-le-pen-winning-french-presidential/|title='France wants action': Thatcherite Francois Fillon promises radical reforms after winning presidential primary|first=Henry|last=Samuel|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=30 November 2016|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327064605/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/27/francois-fillon-set-face-marine-le-pen-winning-french-presidential/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/france-splash-pd5gh7dtd|title=Thatcherite victor vows sharp shock for France|first=Adam Sage|last=Paris|via=www.thetimes.co.uk|access-date=23 February 2020|archive-date=23 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223141545/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/france-splash-pd5gh7dtd|url-status=live}}</ref> He says in 2016 that he wants the state healthcare program (''securité sociale'') to work better with fewer payments.

Fillon is in favour of increasing the retirement age to 65.<ref>[http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Francois-Fillon-L-assommoir-fiscal-tue-l-economie-525526 François Fillon : "L'assommoir fiscal tue l'économie"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127211932/http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Francois-Fillon-L-assommoir-fiscal-tue-l-economie-525526 |date=27 January 2017 }} sur parismatch.com du {{nobr|27 août 2013}}.</ref> During the 2012 presidential election, he proposed that each job seeker should be offered vocational training and be forced to accept the employment offered to them after training.<ref name="ladepeche.fr" />

=== Domestic policy ===
Fillon' stances on domestic and social issues are mostly perceived as conservative.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/politique/presidentielle-primaire-droite/20161120.OBS1455/primaire-a-droite-ce-que-contient-le-programme-tres-conservateur-de-francois-fillon.html|title=Primaire à droite : ce que contient le programme très conservateur de François Fillon|date=27 November 2016|access-date=30 January 2018|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130204831/https://www.nouvelobs.com/politique/presidentielle-primaire-droite/20161120.OBS1455/primaire-a-droite-ce-que-contient-le-programme-tres-conservateur-de-francois-fillon.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As member of the National Assembly, he voted against the equalisation of the age of consent for homosexual relations in 1982, against [[civil solidarity pact]]s in 1999, and against the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.midilibre.fr/2013/01/31/quand-fillon-votait-contre-la-depenalisation-de-l-homosexualite-et-le-pacs,636283.php|title=Quand Fillon votait contre la dépénalisation de l'homosexualité et le PACS|date=31 January 2013|website=Midi Libre|publisher=Societe du Journal Midi Libre S.A.|language=fr|trans-title=When Fillon voted against the decriminalisation of homosexuality and PACS|access-date=29 November 2016|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|archive-date=3 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203201407/http://www.midilibre.fr/2013/01/31/quand-fillon-votait-contre-la-depenalisation-de-l-homosexualite-et-le-pacs,636283.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guardian 2016-11-23">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/23/francois-fillon-french-right-favourite-election|title=How François Fillon became the French right's new hope|last=Chrisafis|first=Angelique|date=23 November 2016|website=The Guardian|access-date=27 November 2016|archive-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126231537/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/23/francois-fillon-french-right-favourite-election|url-status=live}}</ref> However, he says he will not ban the same-sex marriage law if elected president. He opposes adoption by same-sex couples.<ref name="guardian 2016-11-23" />

Fillon has stated that he is personally opposed to abortion but would not vote to ban it.<ref name="guardian 2016-11-23" />

Fillon blamed the [[2017 social unrest in French Guiana]] on President Hollande's policies, which he said had failed.<ref name="nytimesstrikesshutdownfrenchguiana">{{cite news|last1=Breeden|first1=Aurelien|title=Strikes Shut Down French Guiana, With Effects Resonating in Paris|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/world/europe/french-guiana-general-strike-france.html|access-date=3 April 2017|work=The New York Times|date=27 March 2017|archive-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331102148/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/world/europe/french-guiana-general-strike-france.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Foreign policy === 
[[File:POL 2007 10 08 lech kaczynski 04.jpg|thumb|Fillon with Polish President [[Lech Kaczyński]], October 2007]] 
[[File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Summit 18 June 2009 (174).jpg|thumb|Fillon with President of the European Commission [[José Manuel Barroso]], June 2009]]
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev with François Fillon 14 September 2009-3.jpg|thumb|Fillon with Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]], September 2009]]
Fillon is an advocate of cracking down on [[Salafism]] and [[Muslim Brotherhood]]-linked groups<ref>{{cite news|author1=ERASMUS|title=As European authorities target Salafism, the word needs parsing|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2016/11/europe-islam-and-salafism|access-date=27 November 2016|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=24 November 2016|archive-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126192809/http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2016/11/europe-islam-and-salafism|url-status=live}}</ref> and has stridently warned against the threat of "[[Islamic totalitarianism]]".<ref name="econo">{{cite news|title=A Republican primary upset knocks Nicolas Sarkozy out of France's presidential race|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21710616-fran-ois-fillon-former-pm-takes-lead-over-favourite-alain-jupp-republican-primary|access-date=27 November 2016|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=20 November 2016|archive-date=27 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127075609/http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21710616-fran-ois-fillon-former-pm-takes-lead-over-favourite-alain-jupp-republican-primary|url-status=live}}</ref> He has called for dialogue with Syria under [[Bashar al-Assad]]<ref name="econo" /> and with the Russian Federation, under [[Vladimir Putin]]. Putin has been described as a friend of Fillon,<ref name=ftcom>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8832b0ea-b33b-11e6-9c37-5787335499a0 |title=François Fillon and the danger of dancing with the Russian bear |newspaper=Financial Times |date=28 November 2016 |quote=Ties became particularly close between Messrs Fillon and Putin .... |access-date=30 November 2016 |archive-date=1 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201020338/https://www.ft.com/content/8832b0ea-b33b-11e6-9c37-5787335499a0 |url-status=live |last1=Heisbourg |first1=François }}</ref><ref name=econ27Nov>{{cite news|title=François Fillon's win in France's Republican primaries upends the presidential race|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21710867-former-prime-ministers-programme-economically-liberal-and-culturally-conservative-fran-ois|access-date=27 November 2016|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=26 November 2016|archive-date=27 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127055233/http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21710867-former-prime-ministers-programme-economically-liberal-and-culturally-conservative-fran-ois|url-status=live}}</ref> although Fillon himself rejects that description.<ref name=polit>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.eu/article/francois-fillon-thatcherite-with-a-thing-for-russia-juppe-france/|title=François Fillon, Thatcherite with a thing for Russia|work=Politico|date=21 November 2016|access-date=30 November 2016|archive-date=30 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130114348/http://www.politico.eu/article/francois-fillon-thatcherite-with-a-thing-for-russia-juppe-france/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Fillon lives with his wife, [[Penelope Fillon|Penelope]], and five children, Marie, Charles, Antoine, Édouard and Arnaud, in the 12th-century Manoir de Beaucé, set in 20 acres (8 [[Hectare|ha]]) of woodland on the banks of the [[River Sarthe]] 4&nbsp;km east of the monastery village of [[Solesmes, Sarthe|Solesmes]], near [[Sablé-sur-Sarthe]], and about halfway between Le Mans and [[Angers]]. They had lived in various other properties, always in the [[Sarthe]], throughout their marriage, before buying Beaucé in 1993.<ref name="telegraph 2007-05-06" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/25/france-opens-inquiry-into-payments-to-francois-fillons-wife|title=François Fillon faces inquiry over payments to wife from MP funds|first=Angelique|last=Chrisafis|date=25 January 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-date=26 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126084649/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/25/france-opens-inquiry-into-payments-to-francois-fillons-wife|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fillon has a reputation as an [[Anglophile]].<ref name="guardian 2007-05-18">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/france/story/0,,2082668,00.html|title=Anglophile Fillon is new French PM|last=Chrisafis|first=Angelique|date=18 May 2007|work=The Guardian|location=UK|access-date=18 May 2007|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214204233/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/may/18/france.angeliquechrisafis|url-status=live}}</ref> His wife Penelope Kathryn Fillon, ''née'' Clarke, was born in [[Llanover]] in Wales, the daughter of a solicitor.<ref>[http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14922174.Gwent_woman_could_become_France_s__First_Lady_/ "Gwent woman Penelope Fillon could become France's 'First Lady'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124094156/http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14922174.Gwent_woman_could_become_France_s__First_Lady_/ |date=24 November 2016 }}, southwalesargus.co.uk, 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.</ref> They met while she was teaching English during her [[gap year]] in [[Le Mans]], and they were married in the bride's family church in June 1980.<ref name="telegraph 2007-05-06" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2604132.ece|title=Madame Rosbif pricks Gallic pride|work=The Times|location=UK|date=7 October 2007|access-date=7 October 2007|first=Matthew|last=Campbell|archive-date=23 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923212303/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2604132.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guardian 2007-05-06">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/france/story/0,,2073838,00.html|title=Sarkozy's first hundred days|work=The Guardian|location=UK|date=6 May 2007|access-date=12 May 2007|first=Angelique|last=Chrisafis|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214204233/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/may/06/france.angeliquechrisafis|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ambafrance-us.org/atoz/bio/bio_fillon.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510063020/http://www.ambafrance-us.org/atoz/bio/bio_fillon.asp|archive-date=10 May 2007|title=François Fillon – Minister for National Education, Higher Education and Research|publisher=Embassy of France in the United States|date=31 March 2004|access-date=12 May 2007}}</ref>

François Fillon has spoken at a wide variety of universities in Britain, notably [[King's College London]] and the [[London School of Economics]].<ref name="guardian 2007-05-18" /><ref name="france in london 2015-06-17">{{cite news|url=http://www.franceinlondon.com/en-Events-in-London-5821-Francois-Fillon-in-London-on-17th-June-Politics--london-17th-june.html|title=François Fillon in London on 17th June|last=Chrisafis|first=Angelique|date=17 June 2015|work=France in London|location=UK|access-date=27 November 2016|archive-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128051007/http://www.franceinlondon.com/en-Events-in-London-5821-Francois-Fillon-in-London-on-17th-June-Politics--london-17th-june.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 September 2017, Fillon became a partner at asset manager Tikehau Capital.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why do European companies bother to hire ex-politicians?|url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21728975-month-gerhard-schr-der-starts-new-job-rosneft-why-do-european-companies-bother|access-date=15 September 2017|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=14 September 2017|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914221627/https://www.economist.com/news/business/21728975-month-gerhard-schr-der-starts-new-job-rosneft-why-do-european-companies-bother|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fillon's younger brother, Pierre, an [[ophthalmologist|ophthalmic specialist]] (and now President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest), later married Penelope Fillon's younger sister, Jane.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6654397.stm|title=Welsh wife of new French premier|date=17 May 2007|via=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=23 February 2020|archive-date=23 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223134539/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6654397.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Conviction for fraud ==
{{Main|Fillon affair}}
In January 2017, ''[[Le Canard enchaîné]]'' published an article in which [[Penelope Fillon]] was accused of alleged fictitious employment, as her husband's "''assistante parlementaire''" for a total salary of €500,000 over eight years on the one hand, and as a "literary adviser" of ''[[Revue des deux Mondes]]'' on the other, with a monthly salary of €5,000, amounting to a total of another €100,000.<ref>[http://www.liberation.fr/elections-presidentielle-legislatives-2017/2017/01/25/emploi-de-penelope-fillon-comment-les-fillonistes-organisent-la-defense-du-candidat_1543935  ''Emploi de Penelope Fillon : comment les fillonistes organisent la défense du candidat''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128205052/http://www.liberation.fr/elections-presidentielle-legislatives-2017/2017/01/25/emploi-de-penelope-fillon-comment-les-fillonistes-organisent-la-defense-du-candidat_1543935 |date=28 January 2017 }}, on ''Libération'' (accessed on 28 January 2017).</ref> A [[preliminary hearing]] immediately opened. The public outcry around this so-called "Penelopegate"<ref name="willsher">{{cite news|last1=Willsher|first1=Kim|title=François Fillon sinks in polls after 'Penelopegate' scandal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/04/francois-fillon-french-president-chances-sink-penelopegate|access-date=5 February 2017|work=The Guardian|date=4 February 2017|archive-date=5 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205010837/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/04/francois-fillon-french-president-chances-sink-penelopegate|url-status=live}}</ref> was such that doubts were voiced about François Fillon himself, who was the frontrunner for the 2017 presidential election,<ref>[http://www.lesechos.fr/elections/francois-fillon/0211733645832-laffaire-penelope-fillon-vue-par-la-presse-etrangere-2060342.php  ''Les révélations du Canard Enchaîné sur les rémunérations perçues par la femme de François Fillon n’ont pas manqué de faire réagir, de Londres, à Moscou en passant par Berlin et Madrid''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126155425/http://www.lesechos.fr/elections/francois-fillon/0211733645832-laffaire-penelope-fillon-vue-par-la-presse-etrangere-2060342.php |date=26 January 2017 }}, on ''Les Échos'' (France) (accessed on 28 January 2017).</ref> with an immediate sharp decline in the opinion polls.<ref>[http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/en-direct/a-chaud/32864-fillon-sondage-presidentielle2017-affaire-penelope-fillon.html   ''Affaire Penelope Fillon : la popularité du candidat en chute libre, d'après ce sondage''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129192653/http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/en-direct/a-chaud/32864-fillon-sondage-presidentielle2017-affaire-penelope-fillon.html |date=29 January 2017 }}, on ''tempsreel.nouvelobs.com'' (accessed on 28 January 2017).</ref>

On 31 January, new reporting by ''Le Canard enchaîné'' found that Penelope Fillon was actually paid €300,000 more than previously reported, for a total sum of €831,440 for 15 years of her parliamentary assistant work.<ref name=":0" /> It also reported that Fillon had paid two of his children €84,000 for little apparent actual work.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/31/francois-fillon-faces-fresh-claims-over-paying-wife-and-children|title=François Fillon faces fresh claims over paying wife and children|last=Willsher|first=Kim|date=31 January 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131221300/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/31/francois-fillon-faces-fresh-claims-over-paying-wife-and-children|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 February 2017 Fillon held a press conference. He said "It was a mistake and I apologize to the French [people]" but also said that the salary of his wife was "perfectly justified".<ref>lefigaro.fr: [http://www.lefigaro.fr/elections/presidentielles/2017/02/06/35003-20170206LIVWWW00144-affaire-fillon-conference-penelopegate-alain-juppe.php ''Fillon: «Rien ne me fera changer d'avis, je suis candidat à l'élection présidentielle»''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206153248/http://www.lefigaro.fr/elections/presidentielles/2017/02/06/35003-20170206LIVWWW00144-affaire-fillon-conference-penelopegate-alain-juppe.php |date=6 February 2017 }}</ref>

On 3 March 2017, the [[:fr:OCLCIFF|OCLCIFF]] (Central office for the fight against corruption and financial and fiscal crime) executed a search at the Manoir de Beaucé where François and Penelope Fillon reside in the [[Sarthe]] department.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/affaire-penelope-fillon/article/2017/03/04/affaire-fillon-perquisition-dans-le-chateau-sarthois-du-couple_5089427_5070021.html|title=Affaire Fillon : perquisition dans le château sarthois du couple|first=Le|last=Monde.fr|date=4 March 2017|work=Le Monde|access-date=5 March 2017|archive-date=5 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305114606/http://www.lemonde.fr//affaire-penelope-fillon/article/2017/03/04/affaire-fillon-perquisition-dans-le-chateau-sarthois-du-couple_5089427_5070021.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This followed a search by the same agency on 2 March 2017 at the Fillons' Paris residence in the 7th arrondissement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/politique/perquisition-au-domicile-des-epoux-fillon-a-paris-02-03-2017-6727212.php|title=Perquisition au domicile des époux Fillon à Paris|date=23 April 2017|access-date=5 March 2017|archive-date=5 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305091441/http://www.leparisien.fr/politique/perquisition-au-domicile-des-epoux-fillon-a-paris-02-03-2017-6727212.php|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 March 2017, the inner circle of Fillon's party had a crisis meeting. Beforehand, [[Alain Juppé]] had definitively excluded becoming a replacement candidate. Fillon continues his candidacy,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.atlantico.fr/decryptage/jour-ou-francois-fillon-reussi-rebattre-cartes-et-ou-francois-baroin-gagne-journee-2982732.html | title=Le jour où François Fillon a réussi à rebattre les cartes (et où François Baroin a gagné sa journée...) | first=Anita | last=Hausser | work=[[atlantico.fr]] | date=6 March 2017 | access-date=14 March 2017 | archive-date=17 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317073644/http://www.atlantico.fr/decryptage/jour-ou-francois-fillon-reussi-rebattre-cartes-et-ou-francois-baroin-gagne-journee-2982732.html | url-status=live }}</ref> despite his promise (given on 26 January on TV) to withdraw from the race if subjected to criminal prosecution.<ref>FAZ.net 7 March 2017 / Michaela Wiegel: [https://www.faz.net/-gpf-8vn3w ''Der „Trump-Moment“ der Republikaner''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214204236/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/francois-fillon-der-franzoesische-trump-14913212.html |date=14 December 2021 }}</ref> On 23 March, Fillon said on national television that ''Bienvenue Place Beauvau'', a book co-authored by [[Didier Hassoux]] of ''Le Canard enchaîné'', suggested President François Hollande ran a shadow cabinet to spread rumours about his opponents.<ref name="lefigcabinetnoiralelyseedidierhassouxdement">{{cite news|title="Cabinet noir" à l'Elysée: Didier Hassoux dément les propos de Fillon|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2017/03/23/97001-20170323FILWWW00419-cabinet-noir-a-l-elysee-didier-hassoux-dement-les-propos-de-fillon.php|access-date=25 March 2017|work=Le Figaro|date=23 March 2017|archive-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324022031/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2017/03/23/97001-20170323FILWWW00419-cabinet-noir-a-l-elysee-didier-hassoux-dement-les-propos-de-fillon.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="franceinfoonnajamaisecritca">{{cite news|title=François Hollande et le "cabinet noir" : "On n'a jamais écrit ça", dit un des auteurs du livre cité par François Fillon|url=http://www.francetvinfo.fr/politique/francois-fillon/penelope-fillon/francois-hollande-et-le-cabinet-noir-on-n-a-jamais-ecrit-ca-selon-un-des-auteurs_2111685.html|access-date=25 March 2017|work=France Info|date=23 March 2017|archive-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325205300/http://www.francetvinfo.fr/politique/francois-fillon/penelope-fillon/francois-hollande-et-le-cabinet-noir-on-n-a-jamais-ecrit-ca-selon-un-des-auteurs_2111685.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hassoux denied this was the case.<ref name="lefigcabinetnoiralelyseedidierhassouxdement" /><ref name="franceinfoonnajamaisecritca" />

On 24 February 2020, Fillon became one of the few prime ministers to ever go on trial.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-02-24/former-french-prime-minister-and-wife-go-on-trial-for-fraud|title = Former French prime minister and wife go on trial for alleged fraud|website = [[Los Angeles Times]]|date = 24 February 2020|access-date = 29 June 2020|archive-date = 3 July 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200703152809/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-02-24/former-french-prime-minister-and-wife-go-on-trial-for-fraud|url-status = live}}</ref> On 29 June 2020, he was convicted of fraud and misuse of funds, and sentenced to five years in prison - three of them suspended.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bisserbe |first1=Noemie |title=Former French Prime Minister Sentenced to Prison on Corruption Charges |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-french-prime-minister-sentenced-to-prison-on-corruption-charges-11593447376?mod=e2tw%3C/ref%3E%3Cref%3Ehttps://www.france24.com/en/20200311-prosecutors-ask-for-jail-time-for-french-ex-pm-fillon-over-fake-jobs |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=31 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731175553/https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-french-prime-minister-sentenced-to-prison-on-corruption-charges-11593447376?mod=e2tw%3C%2Fref%3E%3Cref%3Ehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.france24.com%2Fen%2F20200311-prosecutors-ask-for-jail-time-for-french-ex-pm-fillon-over-fake-jobs |url-status=live }}</ref> Their lawyers appealed against the sentence and he remains free pending the outcome of the appeal.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Condomines|first=Anaïs|date=2020-06-29|title=François Fillon, condamné à deux ans ferme, ira-t-il en prison ?|url=https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/2020/06/29/francois-fillon-condamne-a-deux-ans-ferme-ira-t-il-en-prison_1792802|access-date=2020-12-08|website=Libération.fr|language=fr|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117050914/https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/2020/06/29/francois-fillon-condamne-a-deux-ans-ferme-ira-t-il-en-prison_1792802|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 May 2022, a French appeals court reduced Fillon's prison sentence shortened to four years with three years suspended.<ref name=reduced>{{cite news|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220509-former-french-pm-fillon-jailed-on-appeal-over-fake-jobs-scandal-involving-his-wife|title=French court upholds one-year sentence for ex-PM Fillon in 'fake jobs' scandal|publisher=France 24|date=9 May 2022|accessdate=11 May 2022}}</ref> His wife Penelope would be given a suspended two-year prison sentence for the embezzlement charge, down from three years suspended.<ref name=reduced /> The court maintained fines of €375,000 for each of them.<ref name=reduced />

== 2F Conseil affair ==
In its 22 March 2017 issue, satirical weekly ''[[Le Canard enchaîné]]'' reported that Fillon had introduced a Lebanese billionaire to Russian President Vladimir Putin at a business forum in St. Petersburg in 2015 as part of a $50,000 contract for Fillon's 2F Conseil consulting firm.<ref>{{cite news|title=François Fillon aurait touché 50.000 dollars pour jouer l'intermédiaire entre Poutine et un milliardaire libanais, selon le "Canard enchaîné"|url=http://www.lci.fr/elections/selon-le-canard-enchaine-francois-fillon-aurait-touche-50-000-dollars-pour-jouer-l-intermediaire-entre-poutine-et-un-homme-d-affaires-2029830.html|publisher=LCI|date=21 March 2017|access-date=22 March 2017|archive-date=22 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322032352/http://www.lci.fr/elections/selon-le-canard-enchaine-francois-fillon-aurait-touche-50-000-dollars-pour-jouer-l-intermediaire-entre-poutine-et-un-homme-d-affaires-2029830.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Le Mans race ==
Having lived his whole life in the Le Mans area and having represented it politically, Fillon is an enthusiastic supporter of the city's [[24 Hours of Le Mans|24-hour]] sportscar race, which he has attended nearly every year since he was a small child. He is a member of the [[Automobile Club de l'Ouest]], which stages the event, and is on the race's organisation committee. He has also competed in the [[Le Mans Legend]] historic sportscar races on the full 24-hour [[Circuit de la Sarthe|circuit]] and in a number of other classic road rallies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns19110.html|title=Le Mans racer to be France's next Prime Minister?|publisher=GrandPrix.com|date=7 May 2007|access-date=12 May 2007|archive-date=12 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070512010911/http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns19110.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Fillon's younger brother Pierre currently serves as the President of the ACO, having been elected in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportscar365.com/industry/behind-the-title-pierre-fillon/|title=behind the title Pierre Fillon|publisher=sportscar365.com|date=9 June 2015|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-date=30 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630091203/http://sportscar365.com/industry/behind-the-title-pierre-fillon/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Awards and honours ==
*{{flag|France}}:
** [[File:Palmes academiques Commandeur ribbon.svg|Palmes academiques Commandeur ribbon|60px]] Commander of the [[Ordre des Palmes académiques|Order of Academic Palms]] (2004)
**[[File:Ordre national du Merite GC ribbon.svg|60px]] Grand Cross of the [[Ordre national du Mérite|National Order of Merit]] (21 November 2007 – Automatic six months after taking office)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.20minutes.fr/article/195987/Politique-Fillon-decore-de-la-Grand-croix-de-l-ordre-national-du-merite-par-Sarkozy.php |title=20minutes.fr |access-date=2007-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090212214944/http://www.20minutes.fr/article/195987/Politique-Fillon-decore-de-la-Grand-croix-de-l-ordre-national-du-merite-par-Sarkozy.php |archive-date=12 February 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
**[[Image:Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg|60px]] Grand Officer of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of Legion of Honour]] (2012)

*{{flag|Japan}}:
**[[File:JPN Toka-sho BAR.svg|60px]] Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Paulownia Flowers#Foreign recipients|Order of the Paulownia Flowers]]
**[[File:JPN Kyokujitsu-sho 1Class BAR.svg|60px]] Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Rising Sun]] (9 May 2013)

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070516195836/http://www.blog-fillon.com/ François Fillon's blog] {{in lang|fr}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070413151755/http://www.lefigaro.fr/election-presidentielle-2007/20070412.WWW000000360_nicolas_sarkozy_francois_fillon_a_le_profil_dun_premier_ministre.html Le Figaro interview] {{in lang|fr}}
*{{C-SPAN|2732}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Offices and distinctions
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{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Michel d'Aillières]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of the Departmental Council|President of the General Council]] of [[Sarthe]]|years=1992–1998}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Higher Education and Research|Minister of Higher Education and Research]]|years=1993–1995}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[1998 French regional elections#Presidents of the Regional Council|José Rossi]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Minister of [[List of Information Ministers of France|Information Technologies]] and [[Minister of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones|Posts]]|years=1995}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Franck Borotra]]}}
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{{s-new|office}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones|Minister responsible for Posts, Telecommunications and Space]]|years=1995–1997}}
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{{s-ttl|title=President of the [[Regional council (France)|Regional Council]] of [[Pays de la Loire]]|years=1998–2002}}
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{{s-aft|after=[[Nicole Bricq]]}}
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{{s-aft|after=[[Jean-Marc Ayrault]]|as=Former Prime Minister}}
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{{Heads of government of France}}
{{Fillon I}}
{{Fillon II}}
{{Candidates in the 2017 French presidential election}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fillon, Francois}}
[[Category:François Fillon| ]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2017 French presidential election]]
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[[Category:Politicians convicted of fraud]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Ordre national du Mérite]]
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[[Category:Presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy]]
[[Category:Paris Descartes University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Le Mans]]
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[[Category:Deputies of the 13th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic]]
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{{Навигационная таблица/Портал/Английская Википедия}}
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